Crimetracker: Man arrested for making bomb threats against courthouses

CLEVELAND, Oh. (WVLT) -- An Ohio man is accused of making dozens of bomb threats to courthouses in five states, including Tennessee.

The FBI arrested Lonny Bristow, 39, Wedensday. He's facing one charge right now and waived his bond hearing.

The initial investigation carried out by the FBI Knoxville Division revealed prepaid calling cards used to make bomb threat calls in Tennessee on November 27, 2012, were purchased at the Walmart Supercenter in Upper Sandusky, Ohio.

The Cleveland FBI continued the investigation and discovered that a Lonny Lee Bristow had purchased a pre-paid calling card on November 27, 2012 at the Walmart Supercenter in Upper Sandusky.

Through additional investigative methods, it was determined that Lonny Lee Bristow had purchased several pre-paid calling cards and those pre-paid calling cards were linked to the false bomb threats placed to various courthouses spanning five states.

“Lonny Bristow induced panic in hundreds of people across several states who were simply trying to do their work,” said Stephen D. Anthony. “The FBI will continue efforts to aggressively pursue charges against anyone, such as Mr. Bristow, who chooses to make reckless and malicious bomb threats.”

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